March 21, 2024

By Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science staff

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Join us in commemorating Women's History Month. Along the theme — Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion — we feature women students and mentors from Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science who exemplify these characteristics.

This year, we celebrate women nationwide who tirelessly champion the elimination of bias and discrimination from our lives and institutions for a brighter future. Mayo Clinic students and mentors featured in this article exemplify the commitment to inclusivity and fairness that drives our collective journey toward equity and opportunity.

Charlotte Hayes

Charlotte Hayes is a dedicated first-year Ph.D. student in neuroscience and cancer research who founded the KIDS MATER TOO Foundation to support children with pediatric cancer.

What initially sparked your interest in neuroscience and cancer research?
My interest in neuroscience stems from my own brain’s ability to adapt to a life without eyesight. I grew up with aspirations of becoming a neurosurgeon, but for some reason, being blind is a disqualifying factor for that occupation. Upon finishing my undergraduate degree, I pursued a master’s degree in applied neuroscience. During that time, a cancerous and universally fatal brain tumor called diffuse midline glioma (DMG) caught my attention. Many people are more familiar with its previous name, diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG). I have always had a soft spot for kids, so the tumor’s grim prognosis combined with its almost exclusive pediatric onset made it a natural research choice for me.

How do your personal experiences as a cancer researcher and patient influence your approach to advocating for pediatric cancer research?
Nothing will drain your tank faster than chemotherapy, radiation, and recurrent trips to the ICU. During a harrowing stretch of my own journey, cancer took on a new role. Instead of just draining my tank, it started to fuel it. It gave me the drive to establish the KIDS MATER TOO Foundation, because cancer is terrible at any age, but especially for children. I’m a better advocate and researcher now that I know firsthand the experience of the patients behind the cells.

Q3. What message would you like to convey to our audience about the importance of supporting initiatives like KIDS MATER TOO and the broader fight against pediatric cancer?
Supporting organizations like KIDS MATER TOO is critical because pediatric cancer research is woefully underfunded by the U.S. government. It receives only a sliver of the NCI’s cancer research budget each year. This affects pediatric cancers across the board, but it’s particularly crippling for more rare cancers like DMG. The lack of funding is the most glaring barrier to better outcomes for pediatric oncology patients. Ultimately, I think it will be up to organizations like KIDS MATER TOO to fund the research needed to develop more effective treatments.

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Ronna Campbell, M.D., Ph.D.

Ronna Campbell, M.D., Ph.D. is a consultant and professor of emergency medicine, and she mentors summer research fellows at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

Can you tell us about your background and journey that led you to your current role as a mentor in the scientific community?
A rural upbringing on an Iowa farm instilled a resilient work ethic from an early age. My undergraduate studies in zoology were complemented by my participation in a Women in Science and Engineering Summer Research Internship. I obtained both a Ph.D. and M.D. from the University of Pittsburgh, after which I embarked on residency in emergency medicine at Mayo Clinic. During my residency, I initiated a foundational research project that laid the groundwork for my ongoing study of anaphylaxis as a consultant.

What do you enjoy most about mentoring and supporting students or junior researchers in your lab?
I find great satisfaction in witnessing junior researchers discover the feasibility and fun of doing research.

What advice would you give young researchers who are passionate about promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion in their future careers?
Remember that the human need for connection and acceptance is universal and that being a mentor is an honor and privilege.

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Christina Pabelick, M.D.

Christina Pabelick, M.D. is a professor of anesthesiology and physiology, dedicated to mentoring our summer research program scholars.

Can you tell us about your background and journey that led you to your current role as a mentor in the scientific community? 
I was born and raised in Germany. I also did my medical training and residency training in anesthesia in Germany. The anesthesia department in Germany had about 70 percent women in training (this was in 1990), which I not only enjoyed but inspired me as well. Our male colleagues were supportive, and we had equal opportunities. I was a bit shocked when I entered the residency program here at Mayo and realized how few women were in the program. However, it also inspired me to look for other opportunities. These opportunities came in my role as a researcher and showcasing my research.

What do you enjoy most about mentoring and supporting students or junior researchers in your lab? 
I truly enjoy mentoring people at different levels of training and careers. I think it is the most satisfying to observe mentees grow and succeed. Mentoring also gives back to the mentor. You always learn something through exchange with other people from various backgrounds. Maintaining curiosity is key for mentoring.

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Marissa Schafer, Ph.D.

Marissa Schafer, Ph.D. is an associate professor of physiology and assistant professor of neurology, as well as a dedicated mentor to PREP scholars.

Can you tell us about your background and journey that led you to your current role as a mentor in the scientific community?
My undergraduate degree was in biology and biochemistry at Minnesota State University in Moorhead. I had great early research mentors, who opened my eyes to the pure joy and excitement found in research. I went to New York University for graduate school, where I studied brain aging and Alzheimer’s disease models. Living and training in New York was eye-opening in many ways. My peers were from all over the world, and I learned firsthand how diverse identities engender wildly divergent ideas and philosophies. Diversity is a powerful conduit of innovation. I learned so much from my Ph.D. mentors. One of the most important lessons that comes to mind is how incredible research accomplishments are made through constant incremental progress.

I encourage trainees to explore interests beyond the bench that may help them become more well-rounded and happier. Finding one’s path is rarely a straight line, mine certainly wasn’t. After graduating, I knew I wanted to do impactful translational research with a focus on aging mechanisms. This brought me to the Mayo Clinic Kogod Center on Aging, where I studied cellular senescence. It was here at the clinic that I learned how expansive and impactful science can be. I learned from my Mayo mentors the value of collaboration; we can do so much more when we work together. Science is an apprenticeship-driven profession, and I was fortunate to have many outstanding mentors along the way.

What do you enjoy most about mentoring and supporting students or junior researchers in your lab?
I love sharing science. We all come to the table with different expertise and viewpoints, and I enjoy talking about ideas and learning how others approach a problem or interpret data. Younger trainees are less likely to be entrenched in dogma and more open to new ideas. They often exude energy and enthusiasm, which I greatly appreciate.

How do you support and mentor individuals from underrepresented groups in STEM fields within your lab?
In our lab, we regularly discuss the values and principles that support our positive lab culture. Mutual respect is the most important tenet. Diversity of identities, perspectives, backgrounds, and expertise are welcomed and celebrated. Communication is also critical. Talking through these principles as a group aligns with our expectations for each other and ourselves. We recognize that no one is perfect, but we are all committed to doing our best. So, when challenges occur, whether interpersonal or scientific, we speak up, talk through them, and find solutions.

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Naureen Javeed, Ph.D., M.S.

Naureen Javeed, Ph.D., M.S. is an assistant professor of physiology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. and is a mentor to our Summer Research Fellowship scholars.

Can you tell us about your background and journey that led you to your current role as a mentor in the scientific community?
My own experiences in facing adversity in academia are what led me to my path of becoming a mentor in the sciences. During my undergraduate at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, I was pursuing a completely different career path. Admittedly, I had no concept of what biomedical research was, let alone that you could make a career out of it until I did a work-study program in a research lab. I eventually decided to pursue a career as an academic scientist, but with no knowledge of how to do so and with little to no mentorship to guide me. I obtained a master’s degree in biotechnology from Illinois State University and then my doctorate at Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. I completed my postdoctoral fellowship training at Mayo, and during this time, I was able to successfully carve out my own independent research path and secure independent funding from multiple sources. My success would not have been possible if not for the fantastic guidance and mentorship I received during these critical training periods. As someone who had to navigate much of their career on their own particularly early on, I made it my mission to ensure that my trainees are given ample guidance, support, and resources in order to make informed decisions regarding their career paths.

How do you support and mentor individuals from underrepresented groups in STEM fields within your lab?
I believe that knowing and acknowledging that trainees come from different training backgrounds and knowledge/skill levels is imperative during the mentorship process. I try to be cognizant of this and tailor my mentorship to support each trainee's growth and development as a scientist. It's also important to acknowledge that a mentor/mentee relationship is a two-way street. Despite background or skill level, if a mentee comes to the lab with enthusiasm and motivation to learn and progress their science, it helps me to provide the best guidance and support during their career development. I also believe in and encourage direct communication and transparency with my mentees so they are able to make the best-informed decisions that suit their individual career paths.

What advice would you give to young researchers or students who are passionate about promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion in their future careers?
Don’t be afraid to tell your story! My journey to academia was not very clear-cut, so I like to tell my story to assure trainees that you can succeed in this field despite the obstacles you may face. Everyone has a unique journey and thus a unique perspective that many trainees could benefit from hearing about. I believe hearing more voices, experiences, and success stories from scientists coming from diverse backgrounds will be beneficial for ensuring diversity, equity, and inclusion in the sciences.

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